Patents Issued in October 20, 2016
  • Publication number: 20160306299
    Abstract: A method of remanufacturing an imaging cartridge comprising a toner hopper having a toner bag and not having a seal port, the method comprising forming a seal port in the toner hopper; disposing a replacement toner container in the toner hopper, the replacement toner container including a removable seal having a seal tail; inserting a portion of the seal tail through the seal port and repairing a broken doctor blade contact
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Stephen Joseph Daniels, Robert Farmer, Christopher Elton Nichols, Derick Keith Dove, Roderick Craig Boone
  • Publication number: 20160306300
    Abstract: A developing device includes a casing having an opening, the casing to contain developer, and a developer bearer including a magnetized range to cause developer to stand on end on a surface of the developer bearer and an end range outside the magnetized range in a longitudinal direction of the developer bearer. The developer bearer is disposed in the casing and partly exposed from the opening with a casing gap secured between the surface of the developer bearer and an inner face of the casing. The developer bearer generates, by rotation, sucked-in airflow to collect a floating toner from the opening into the casing, and the casing gap is smaller in the end range than the magnetized range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke Hamada, Jun Shiori, Hideo Yoshizawa, Shingo Kuboki, Takahiro Adachi
  • Publication number: 20160306301
    Abstract: A magnetic carrier according to the present invention includes a magnetic carrier core and a resin covering layer formed on a surface of the magnetic carrier core, wherein the resin covering layer contains a resin component and an inorganic fine particle, the inorganic fine particle contains an oxide of a typical metal element or a carbonate of a typical metal element, a moisture adsorption rate of the inorganic fine particle when allowed to stand in an environment of a temperature of 30° C. and a humidity of 80% for 72 hours is 25.0% by mass or less, an electrical conductivity of the inorganic fine particle is 2.0×10?9 ?S/m or more and 2.5×10?5 ?S/m or less, and a degree of crystallinity of the inorganic fine particle is 60% or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Nobuyoshi Sugahara, Yuto Onozaki, Hironori Minagawa, Wakashi Iida
  • Publication number: 20160306302
    Abstract: Apparatus is described which, in use, applies a thin film of a wetting agent, such as water or a water-based solution, onto paper or other print medium before applying a liquid toner. The wetting agent is applied at a predetermined distance from an image transfer area. The wetting agent acts to promote adhesion of the liquid toner to the print medium. The adhesion of the liquid toner to the print medium is further improved by supplying the wetting agent at a temperature higher than room temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Peter Nedelin, Mark Sandler, Shai Liot
  • Publication number: 20160306303
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member; an intermediary transfer belt rotatable in a predetermined direction, a rubbing rotatable member provided between the secondary transfer portion and a cleaning blade with respect to the predetermined direction and configured to rub the belt; and a controller for controlling the belt such that after start of a both-side-printing mode operation in which the toner images are formed on respective sides of the recording material, the rotation of the belt is stopped at an end or interruption of the both-side-printing mode operation, and the belt is rotated in a direction opposite from the predetermined direction at least until a portion of the belt contacting the cleaning blade at the time of the stop of the rotation of the belt reaches a position opposing the rubbing rotatable member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventor: Takashi Ueno
  • Publication number: 20160306304
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a heater, a fixing rotator, a pressure rotator, a slider, and a controller. The fixing rotator is heated by the heater. The pressure rotator presses at least a portion of the fixing rotator and forms a nip between the pressure rotator and the fixing rotator. The fixing rotator fixes an unfixed toner image on a recording material in the nip. The slider slides over a surface of the fixing rotator. The controller causes the slider to perform a first sliding operation for a predetermined time after a predetermined condition is satisfied. The controller causes the slider to perform a second sliding operation for a time equal to or less than the predetermined time at earlier timing than when the predetermined condition is satisfied, in addition to the first sliding operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kaori Hemmi, Masami Okamoto, Keisuke Kubota, Yuuki Kikushima, Shuutaroh Yuasa, Fumihiro Hirose, Kensuke Yamaji, Kenji Nozawa
  • Publication number: 20160306305
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a fixing member; a plurality of airflow generation members configured to generate airflows, the airflows being different from each other in influence on a temperature of the fixing member in an axis direction; a temperature detection section configured to detect the temperature of the fixing member; and a control section configured to control a heating amount of the heating section on a basis of the temperature detected by the temperature detection section and a target temperature of the fixing member. The control section controls the heating amount of the heating section in accordance with operation statuses of the airflow generation members such that the temperature of the fixing member in the axis direction is uniform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventor: Takashi YAMADA
  • Publication number: 20160306306
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt looped over a first roller and a second roller and rotatable in a predetermined direction of rotation and a pressure rotator to press against the first roller via the fixing belt to form a fixing nip between the fixing belt and the pressure rotator. A separation aid, disposed downstream from the fixing nip in the direction of rotation of the fixing belt, contacts an inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt to decrease a radius of curvature of the fixing belt. A polishing roller, disposed downstream from the separation aid and upstream from the second roller in the direction of rotation of the fixing belt, contacts an outer circumferential surface of the fixing belt. An opposed roller, disposed opposite the polishing roller via the fixing belt, forms a polishing nip between the polishing roller and the fixing belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Nozawa, Masami OKAMOTO, Yuuki KIKUSHIMA, Keisuke KUBOTA, Shuutaroh YUASA, Kaori HEMM!
  • Publication number: 20160306307
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a frame, a first fixing member, a second fixing member, a first conducting member, and a second conducting member. The second fixing member includes a belt configured to form a nip region. The first fixing member is positioned at a first side and the second fixing member is positioned at a second side opposite to the first side. The first conducting member includes a first contacting portion exposed to an outside from the frame, and a first connecting portion electrically connecting the first fixing member and the first contacting portion. The second conducting member includes a second contacting portion exposed to an outside from the frame, and a second connecting portion electrically connecting the second fixing member and the second contacting portion. Both of the first contacting portion and the second contacting portion are positioned at one of the first side and the second side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Kei Ishida, Takuji Matsuno, Keita Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20160306308
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a pressuring member, an exciting coil and a belt guide. The pressuring member comes into pressure contact with the fixing belt to form a fixing nip. The exciting coil is provided at an outer diameter side of the fixing belt and configured to generate a magnetic flux to inductively heat the fixing belt. The belt guide supports the fixing belt from an inner diameter side. The belt guide includes a contact part which is in contact with an inner circumferential face of the fixing belt and a non-contact part which is not in contact with the inner circumferential face of the fixing belt. The non-contact part is provided with a slit configured to inhibit induction heating of the non-contact part due to the magnetic flux generated by the exciting coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Kenichi KASAMA, Shoko GON, Akihiro KONDO, Eiji NAKAJIMA
  • Publication number: 20160306309
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a pressuring member, an exciting coil and a belt guide. The pressuring member comes into pressure contact with the fixing belt to form a fixing nip. The exciting coil is provided at an outer diameter side of the fixing belt and configured to generate a magnetic flux to inductively heat the fixing belt. The belt guide supports the fixing belt from an inner diameter side. The belt guide includes a contact part which is in contact with an inner circumferential face of the fixing belt and a non-contact part which is not in contact with the inner circumferential face of the fixing belt. A magnetic flux blocking member configured to block the magnetic flux that passes through the fixing belt is provided between the fixing belt and the non-contact part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Kenichi KASAMA, Shoko GON, Akihiro KONDO, Eiji NAKAJIMA
  • Publication number: 20160306310
    Abstract: A cylindrical film used in an image heating device heating a recording material, on which an image has been formed, has a resin layer, this resin layer being made from a resin in which a crystalline resin and an amorphous resin having a higher glass transition temperature than the crystalline resin are blended, wherein a volume ratio of the crystalline resin with respect to the amorphous resin in the resin layer is 70/30 to 99/1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Takanori Mitani, Akimichi Suzuki, Kazuhiro Doda, Satoshi Nishida, Isamu Takeda, Akira Okano, Masahiro Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20160306311
    Abstract: A drive transmission unit transmits driving force to a driven unit including a driven rotator coupled to the drive transmission unit via a unit coupler. The drive transmission unit includes a driving source, a drive transmission member to transmit driving force from the driving source to the driven rotator by engaging the driven rotator, and a basal plate with a turning shaft portion at one end thereof. The basal plate supports the driving source and the drive transmission member thereon. The drive transmission unit is turned around the turning shaft portion together with the driven unit in a direction substantially orthogonal to a direction of a driving reaction force applied to the drive transmission member when the driven rotator receives the driving force from the drive transmission member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi ONO, Tetsuo TOKUDA, Yoshikuni SASAKI, Hironori YAMAOKA, Ryohhei SUGIYAMA, Yamano MOTOYOSHI
  • Publication number: 20160306312
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a movable regulation member that regulates a trailing edge side position of a sheet stack stored in a storage portion in a sheet feeding direction, a trailing edge detection portion, movable together with the regulation member, that detects a sheet surface on the trailing edge side of the sheet stack, and a control unit that detects whether the regulation member is positioned to an end surface on the trailing edge side of the sheet stack based on a detection result by the trailing edge detection portion, and that causes a display unit to provide a warning if the regulation member is not positioned to the end surface, wherein, if a predetermined sheet with thicknesses different between leading edge and trailing edge sides thereof in the sheet feeding direction is set by a setting unit, the control unit does not cause the display unit to provide the warning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Miyake, Satoru Yamamoto, Takashi Yokoya, Katsuya Nakama, Koji Yumoto, Riki Fukuhara, Akihiro Kawakita
  • Publication number: 20160306313
    Abstract: A sheet conveyance device includes an endless conveyance belt including an insulating material, formed into a loop, a suction device, and a plurality of rollers. The conveyance belt includes a plurality of holes. The suction device is disposed inside the loop of the conveyance belt, to generate a suction force to attract a recording medium onto a surface of the conveyance belt through the plurality of holes in the conveyance belt. Each of the plurality of rollers, which are stretching the conveyance belt, includes a conductive material and is electrically grounded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventor: KAZUOSA KUMA
  • Publication number: 20160306314
    Abstract: A sheet transport apparatus is equipped with a sheet transport guide section for guiding a sheet to be transported. The sheet transport guide section includes a first transport guide member swingable about a first axis, and a second transport guide member swingable about a second axis, the second transport guide member forming a sheet transport path between the second transport guide member and the first transport guide member. The second transport guide member is arranged at a first position when the first transport guide member is closed, at a second position where the second transport guide member is opened from the first position when the first transport guide member is opened, or at a third position where the second transport guide member is opened from the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Yasuhiro SUTO, Yasumasa MORIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20160306315
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a housing, a registration roller pair, a first guiding portion, a second guiding portion, a resistor, and a grounding conductive mechanism. The housing is made of metal and has a grounded inner wall. The registration roller pair is located between the paper sheet feeder and the transfer member in the sheet conveyance path, includes a metallic registration roller and a facing roller that is constituted of an elastic material, and rotates in abutting contact with the registration roller, so as to convey the sheet toward the transfer nip portion. The first guiding portion is made of metal. The second guiding portion is made of a conductive resin material. The grounding conductive mechanism electrically conducts the registration roller, the first guiding portion, and the second guiding portion to the inner wall via a resistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventor: Masakazu Uehara
  • Publication number: 20160306316
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus (100) forms an image on a recording medium. The image forming apparatus (100) includes a substrate (161), a photosensitive drum (120), a heating element (163) that heats the photosensitive drum (120), a light emitting element (162) that performs static elimination on the photosensitive drum (120), and a metal member (167) that transfers heat from the heating element (163) to the photosensitive drum (120). The light emitting element (162) and the heating element (163) are mounted on one of main surfaces of the substrate (161). The metal member (167) is in contact with another of the main surface of the substrate (161).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Yosuke SAITO, Shigeki TSUKAHARA, Ai TAKAGAMI, Masaki KADOTA
  • Publication number: 20160306317
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises a rotatable image bearer, a toner image forming device, a transfer device, a transfer bias power source, and a cleaner. The toner image forming device is to form a toner image on the image bearer. The transfer device contacts a surface of the image bearer to form a transfer nip between the transfer device and the image bearer. The transfer bias power source is to output a transfer bias to transfer the toner image from the image bearer onto a recording medium in the transfer nip. The cleaner is disposed downstream from the transfer nip in a direction of rotation of the image bearer, to electrostatically attract and remove toner from the surface of the image bearer to a surface of the cleaner. The transfer bias includes an alternating current component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: YUUJI WADA, Naohiro Kumagai, Seiichi Kogure, Junpei Fujita, Kazuki Yogosawa, Kenji Sugirua, Takehide Mizutani, Tatsuya Ohsugi, Hiroyoshi Haga, Hirokazu Ishii
  • Publication number: 20160306318
    Abstract: A toner conveyance device includes a toner conveyance path through which toner is transported. The toner conveyance path includes a flexible portion, a toner conveyor inside the conveyance path to convey the toner, and a restrictor outside the toner conveyance path to restrict deformation of the toner conveyance path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Daisuke TOMITA, Toshiya SATOH, Satoshi HATORI, Takeshi FUKAO, Hajime TERAJI, Norio KUDOH, Hiroyuki UENISHI
  • Publication number: 20160306319
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided with: a main body; a photosensitive member, and a developing cartridge having a developer carrier that rotates about an axis line. The main body includes: an urging member configured to urge the developing cartridge; and a first guide configured to guide the developing cartridge. The developing cartridge includes an end portion in the axis line, the end portion having a guided part configured to be guided by the first guide of the main body. The developing cartridge is configured to rotate about the guided part between a first position at which the urging member cannot urge the developing cartridge and a second position at which the urging member can urge the developing cartridge. The developer carrier is spaced apart from the photosensitive member when the developing cartridge is located at the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Junichi YOKOI, Shougo SATO
  • Publication number: 20160306320
    Abstract: With a structure in which a coupling member includes a sphere providing a center of inclination (pivoting), a rotational force transmitted member has an opening have a diameter smaller than that of the sphere, and the coupling member is prevented from disengaging from rotational force transmitted member by contact of inner edge of the opening to the sphere, the inner edge of the opening may limit an inclinable (pivotable) angle range of the coupling member. In a state that a pin that is a shaft portion is inserted in a hole that is a through-hole provided in a coupling member, opposite end portions of the pin are supported by a driving side flange, which is a rotational force transmitted member. The coupling member, the driving side flange, and the pin are connected in this manner, and the pin contacts the inside of the hole without limiting the inclinable angle range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Takuya Kawakami, Noriyuki Komatsu, Sho Shirakata, Isao Koishi
  • Publication number: 20160306321
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an exterior member attached to an apparatus body in such a manner as to cover an opening of the apparatus body. The opening allows air in the apparatus body to be exhausted to an outside. The exterior member has a vent hole that allows the air to flow through the exterior member. The exterior member is invertible upside down.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventor: Naoki SAMBE
  • Publication number: 20160306322
    Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes the fan motor that cools an FET, and a CPU that predicts temperature of the FET, and controls the rotation speed of the fan motor based on the predicted temperature of the FET, wherein the CPU determines the rotation speed of the fan motor at the start of image forming operation, based on predicated temperature of the FET of the time when the image forming operation starts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Tsutomu Sasaki, Hiroshi Kawamura, Tadashi Okanishi, Masaki Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20160306323
    Abstract: A holographic producing housing includes a base panel having a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a back end and a front end opposite the back end. The housing further includes a first and second side panels vertically extending from the first and second side of the base panel. A back panel vertically extends from the back end of the base panel and a floor panel extends partially upwards from the front end of the base panel. A front opening is formed leading into the housing. The first side panel and the second side panel each include an aligning diagonal slot to receive and secure a reflective window within. A receiver is formed on the housing to secure an electronic video playing device within so that a screen of the electronic video playing device is directed towards the reflective window at an angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventor: Robert Thomas
  • Publication number: 20160306324
    Abstract: A timepiece balance spring made of micromachinable material including a plurality of stages, each forming a spiral wound spring, parallel to each other and all attached to a common axial collet or to the same balance staff, each stage including, at its respective outer end, its own attachment to a balance spring stud which are independent of those of the other stages, the attachment including a position adjustment with respect to a balance spring stud which are also independent of those of the other stages, the attachment and the position adjustment together forming built-in isochronism correction mechanism for the balance spring, and the position adjustment including a plurality of discrete position adjustment positions including housings each arranged to retain a stud.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Applicant: Montres Breguet S.A.
    Inventors: Davide SARCHI, Sylvain MARECHAL, Polychronis Nakis KARAPATIS
  • Publication number: 20160306325
    Abstract: A striking mechanism is for a watch or music box that includes a vibration plate with optimised actuation energy. The striking mechanism includes a plurality of cantilevered strips. These strips are each made of a material of Young's modulus E and of density p satisfying the inequality: E ? 3 < 0.25 ? ? m ? / ? s . All of the strips (2) each satisfy the relation: ? f , b , 20 ? ? ? ? W ? ( L ) = ( 8 ? U b ) 1 2 ? ( 3.515 4 ? ? ? ? f ) 3 2 ? [ E ( 3 ? ? ) 3 ? ] 1 4 ? L - 3 2 , where b is the width, L the length, ? the travel, f the frequency and U the actuation energy of the strip, U being greater than or equal to 20 microwatts, and the strips (2) are arranged to vibrate between 800 Hz and 4000 Hz.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Applicant: Montres Breguet S.A.
    Inventors: Polychronis Nakis KARAPATIS, Younes KADMIRI, Davide SARCHI
  • Publication number: 20160306326
    Abstract: A shock absorber bearing for an arbor of a timepiece wheel. The arbor includes a pivot-shank, the bearing includes a support including a housing arranged to receive a suspended pivot mechanism, and the pivot mechanism is arranged to absorb, at least in part, any shocks experienced by the timepiece wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Jean-Jacques BORN, Jean-Claude MARTIN
  • Publication number: 20160306327
    Abstract: The invention relates to a timepiece or piece of jewellery comprising an alloy containing at least 750 wt.-‰ gold, characterised in that the alloy comprises at least 200‰ copper, 4‰-35‰ palladium and 1‰-16‰ indium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Applicant: ROLEX SA
    Inventors: Pascal Dubos, Jean-Francois Ricard
  • Publication number: 20160306328
    Abstract: A smart watch and method for controlling the same are disclosed, by which both a physical watch function and a mobile terminal function are provided. The present application includes a case, at least one physical hand situated in the case, the at least one physical hand configured to display a current time, a display unit situated below the hand in the case, the display unit configured to display various informations, and a movement configured to rotate the hand, the movement connected to the hand through the display unit in the case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Dongseuck KO, Hyeokjin KWON, Jinyung PARK, Junhee HAN, Jonghun KWON, Jongcheol KIM, Hanna LEE, Pilgoo KANG
  • Publication number: 20160306329
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and computer readable media for remotely managing an environmental control and monitoring device are provided. Remote management of an environmental control and monitoring device may be implemented by receiving, via a network, a device action including notification of at least one of an environmental, maintenance, repair or usage status of an environmental control and monitoring device. A management action is determined based on the device action, and the management action is transmitted, wherein the management action includes a command to execute an operation of the environmental control and monitoring device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Applicant: Innovaci Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Gordon, J. Henry Scott, Edward J. Laganis, James M. Judge, Keith Armonaitis
  • Publication number: 20160306330
    Abstract: A control signal includes a schedule for turning on an electronic apparatus or turning off the electronic apparatus. A control signal generation unit sends the control signal to a portable apparatus side short distance wireless communication unit. The portable apparatus side short distance wireless communication unit converts the control signal into a wireless control signal. The portable apparatus side short distance wireless communication unit wirelessly sends the wireless control signal to a control panel apparatus side short distance wireless communication unit. The control panel apparatus side short distance wireless communication unit recoveries the wireless control signal as the control signal. The control panel apparatus side short distance wireless communication unit sends the control signal to a control unit. The control unit turns on the electronic apparatus or turns off the electronic apparatus according to the schedule of the control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Wei-Chun HUANG, Tsung-Hsing HSIEH
  • Publication number: 20160306331
    Abstract: A communication system includes a first remote terminal unit (RTU) outputting first RTU data, a second RTU outputting second RTU data, and a remote control center applying a first RTU weight, which is a weight for the first RTU, to the output first RTU data and a second RTU weight, which is a weight for the second RTU, to the output second RTU data, and generating state estimation information for the first and second RTUs on the basis of the first and second RTU data to which each of the first and second RTU weights are applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Applicant: LSIS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: YOUNG IN KIM, AE KYOUNG BAE, HONG JOO KIM, YOON SUNG CHO
  • Publication number: 20160306332
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable medium are disclosed for analysis and characterization of manufacturing information such as process trees or genealogies using graph theory. More specifically, using graph theory to analyze manufacturing information of a manufacturing operation allows for deep analysis of relationships between batches or units in a process tree and their closeness or distance, to identify clusters associated with specific quality characteristics or problems, to identify common antecedents of specifically labeled batches (e.g., problem batches), and/or to detect overall desirable or undesirable characteristics of the process tree (e.g., centrality, etc.).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Applicant: DELL SOFTWARE, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Hill, Pawel Lewicki
  • Publication number: 20160306333
    Abstract: A monitoring device for a programmable controller can resume continuous operation from an appropriate step, when the equipment is restarted after abnormality handling process. The monitoring device includes: a read device that reads operating state information of equipment from the programmable controller during individual operation; a relationship information storage device that stores relationship information showing relationship between the first step to be executed out of the steps when the equipment is restarted after the individual operation and the operating state information; a selection device that refers to the operating state information and selects the first step to be executed when the equipment is restarted, based on the relationship information; and a command transmission device that transmits a command to change an in-execution flag of the programmable controller which shows the first step to be executed when the equipment is restarted, based on the selection result of the selection device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Applicant: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiro SHIMIZU, Terukazu Senda
  • Publication number: 20160306334
    Abstract: For machine procedure simulation, a method synchronizes a plurality of equipment procedures to a mobile device. The method receives a first equipment reference code for a first equipment instance at the mobile device. The method retrieves a first equipment procedure of the plurality of equipment procedures that is indexed to the first equipment reference code at the mobile device, the first equipment procedure including a machine simulation for the first equipment instance. The method receives a procedure step that includes a lockout decision indicating that the first equipment procedure requires a lockout of the first equipment instance. The procedure step is directed to the machine simulation. The method displays a simulated result for an operator simulation that shows a simulated operator interacting with the machine simulation in response to the procedure step lockout decision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Jimi Michalscheck, Kelly Michalscheck
  • Publication number: 20160306335
    Abstract: An automation interface is provided for interacting with industrial controllers. The automation interface provides for programming, editing, monitoring and maintenance of industrial controllers programmatically from a local or remote location. The automation interface component is adapted to communicate with industrial controllers by integrating a computer process interface library into the automation interface component. The computer process interface library exposes the automation interface component to client application processes, so that the client application processes can communicate with the at least one industrial controller programmatically. The automation interface is provided with functionality for downloading, uploading and programming of control programs to the processors of the industrial controllers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. McKelvey, Mike D'Amico
  • Publication number: 20160306336
    Abstract: An automation interface is provided for interacting with industrial controllers. The automation interface provides for programming, editing, monitoring and maintenance of industrial controllers programmatically from a local or remote location. The automation interface component is adapted to communicate with industrial controllers by integrating a computer process interface library into the automation interface component. The computer process interface library exposes the automation interface component to client application processes, so that the client application processes can communicate with the at least one industrial controller programmatically. The automation interface is provided with functionality for downloading, uploading and programming of control programs to the processors of the industrial controllers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. McKelvey, Mike D'Amico
  • Publication number: 20160306337
    Abstract: A method includes requesting a controller, which controls one or more field devices in an industrial control network, to report code currently used by the controller for controlling the field devices. The code reported by the controller is compared with a stored baseline version of the code, and a notification is issued upon detecting a discrepancy between the code reported by the controller and the baseline version.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventor: Mille Gandelsman
  • Publication number: 20160306338
    Abstract: A mobile phone includes an acceleration sensor for detecting acceleration, a magnetic sensor for detecting magnetism, and a controller for determining a type of moving state based on the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor and the magnetism detected by the magnetic sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventor: Hideki MORITA
  • Publication number: 20160306339
    Abstract: An article of footwear with a dynamic support system that controls arrays of tiles in the upper of the footwear to adjust the level of support provided in different regions of the upper. Sensors in the sole of the footwear, in the upper of the footwear and/or in an article worn by the wearer of the footwear measure the level of stress or other characteristics and provide input to one or more microprocessors that control motors located in the sole or in the upper of the footwear. When the motors are activated, they may compress or loosen arrays of tiles to adjust the stiffness of the upper in one or more regions of the upper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas J. Rushbrook, Tiffany A. Beers, Nathan T. Gilbreath
  • Publication number: 20160306340
    Abstract: A robot includes an arm and a hand. The robot brings a tool gripped by the hand into contact with an object and changes at least one of the position and the posture of the hand gripping the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Takashi NAMMOTO, Kenichi MARUYAMA, Tomoki HARADA, Kazuhiro KOSUGE, Haruaki CHIBA
  • Publication number: 20160306341
    Abstract: A method for cutter path planning is disclosed. The method includes: obtaining a first and a second programmed path of a workpiece, computing for a corresponding first cutter path based on the first programmed path and a radius of the cutter, and computing for a corresponding second cutter path based on the second programmed path and the radius of the cutter; and computing for a transition path connecting an end point of the first cutter path and a start point of the second cutter path based on the first and second cutter paths, wherein the distance from any one point on the transition path to either the first or second programmed path would be greater than or equal to the radius of the cutter. An apparatus for cutter path planning, a method and an apparatus for workpiece machining are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventor: XIAOYING CHEN
  • Publication number: 20160306342
    Abstract: A communication system is provided. The communication system includes a communication device receiving a state signal from at least one remote terminal unit (RTU), generating signal quality data for the state signal, and transmitting, to a control device, the generated signal quality data and the received state signal. The control device generates state estimation data for each of the at least one RTU on a basis of the state signal received from the communication device, corrects the signal quality data transmitted from the communication device according to at least one preset condition, and changes the generated state estimation data on a basis of the corrected signal quality data and the received state signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Applicant: LSIS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: YOUNG IN KIM, AE KYOUNG BAE, HONG JOO KIM, YOON SUNG CHO
  • Publication number: 20160306343
    Abstract: A management apparatus is connected to a mount substrate manufacturing line including at least a print apparatus, a component mounting apparatus, and a reflow apparatus, through a network. The management apparatus instructs at least one of apparatuses that are at a more upstream side than the reflow apparatus in a mount substrate manufacturing line, to perform at least any one of an operation relating to maintenance, an operation relating to calibration, and an warm-up operation, based on first data relating to a period of time necessary to complete preparation for performing a process by the reflow apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: YUJI NAKAMURA, HACHIRO NAKATSUJI, KENJI OKAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20160306344
    Abstract: A numerical controller stores, among executed programs, a program applicable to a preset favorite condition in a specified storage area. The numerical controller then stores, based on execution history information on the program, the program applicable to the preset favorite condition in the storage area. The numerical controller then classifies the program stored in the storage area based on contents of the program, and displays the program stored in the storage area based on a result of classification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventor: Ryuta HITOMI
  • Publication number: 20160306345
    Abstract: An FA-device-configuration-design supporting apparatus that performs editing of a profile including individual identification information and a definition of setting of an FA device and a setting range of the setting includes a profile storing unit that stores the profile, a user-specific-information-region securing function for securing, for the profile in the profile storing unit, a write-content input region in which a setting value specific to a user can be written concerning content defined in the profile, a user-specific-information writing function for writing, in the write-content input region, the content defined by the profile edited by a first user, and a user-specific-information saving function for saving, as a user-defined profile, in the profile storing unit, the profile including the content input to the write-content input region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Naoya Idota
  • Publication number: 20160306346
    Abstract: Provided is a production facility (1), including: a plurality of production units (10A to 10E) coupled to each other in a separable manner; a guide rail (2) extending in a unit coupling direction; and transfer means (3) capable of sequentially transferring, by moving along the guide rail (2), a workpiece from the production unit (10A) toward the production unit (10E). Each of the plurality of production units (10A to 10E) includes: a processing section (13) configured to execute predetermined processing; a control section (14) configured to electrically control an operation of the processing section (13); a rail member (20) constructing the guide rail (2); and a slide member (30) constructing the transfer means (3). Each of the plurality of production units (10A to 10E) further includes: a connector (15, 15) configured to electrically connect the control section (14) thereof and the control section (14) of the adjacent production unit (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Nao ISHIYAMA
  • Publication number: 20160306347
    Abstract: A system and method of controlling the input and output speed of a continuous sheet of stock material is provided. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system and method used to perform an operation on a continuous sheet of stock material in a high speed manufacturing system. The continuous sheet of stock material may subsequently be received by a second system that performs a different operation on the stock material. In one embodiment, the second system forms the stock material into tabs for container end closures. The system includes an infeed accumulation device and an outfeed accumulation device. The infeed and outfeed accumulation devices enable the system to operate at a variable rate and out of phase with a high speed, coil fed manufacturing system to which the system may be removably integrated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Jason E. Gorsuch, Kenneth D. Anderson, Alex V. Crisman, Thomas J. Stokes
  • Publication number: 20160306348
    Abstract: A monitoring system for monitoring the temperature and vibration of equipment, comprising a central digital computer, a MESH communication network, wherein the network feeds signals to the central digital computer, a plurality of heating elements for heating the equipment, temperature/vibration sensors adapted to measure the temperature of the equipment, wherein each sensor is adapted to provide a signal representing the temperature/vibration of the piece of equipment to which the sensor is associated, to the network, wherein each temperature/vibration sensor can also be used to control the electric heaters, a temperature sensor that monitors the ambient temperature of the facility, and current transducers associated with the heaters, to monitor the energy use and current loss of the heaters, wherein the central computer uses the data it receives from the other elements of the monitoring system to determine when the equipment is not at the correct temperature/vibration and diagnoses the reason why.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventor: TIMOTHY RUSSELL MULLEN